Near Average Special Crop Yields Forecast

VANCOUVER - Jul 31/07 - SNS -- Canadian specialty crop yields will be near average if Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's early forecasts for yields in that province pan out, while area in specialty crops in the province may be lower than initially estimated.

In its latest weekly crop progress report, Saskatchewan Agriculture forecast crop production levels for major grains, oilseeds and specialty crops grown in Saskatchewan. It also released its own estimates of actual seeded are by crop.

If the numbers are borne out in Statistics Canada's August 23 production estimates, total seeded area in Canada will decline from the June seeded area estimate, and yields will have fallen closer to average on account of unusually hot weather conditions the last half of July.

In its report, the provincial agriculture department said, "Pre-harvest crop production estimates indicate that Saskatchewan farmers are expected to harvest 23.9 million MT of grains, oilseeds, and specialty crops, according to the crop reporters who provide the information for (the) weekly crop report. This is close to the ten-year average production. Yield projections will continue to be monitored throughout the harvest period and new estimates will be provided if production estimates change significantly.

"Crop reporters had expected better yields earlier in the season, but the recent heat and lack of precipitation have impacted expectations. There is yield variability both at the local and regional levels. Many crop reporters indicate that they will have a better read on yields once combines are in the field," Saskatchewan Agriculture said.

"Harvest operations are just getting underway, with less than one per cent of the 2007 crop combined and two per cent lying in swath or ready to straight combine. Crops being combined include winter wheat, oats, barley, fall rye, canola, mustard, lentils, and peas."

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here